Dear Matt

Good on you for 1. actually having beliefs; 2. putting them out there
for analysis/discussion.  But I have to disagree as to your
interpretations of Oily lyrics.  The phrase "as Noah faces out to sea"
COULD be in Cemetery in my mind, but there's just no context to support
that interpretation, either before or after it.  If it in fact was that,
it would be a bit of a bolt from the blue.

Interesting (though dreadfully serious) story about Peter Garrett
talking someone out of suicide by propounding what sounds pretty close
to a doctrine of purgatory.  I can imagine it happening, but I thought
he was associated with the Uniting Church or Anglican Church, neither of
which (as I understand them) generally asserts purgatory or tortured
wanderings as a potential future destination, despite nuclear winter and
future biotech/nanotech nasties sounding pretty close to a hell on
earth.

Incidentally the idea of purgatory was articulated by an Anglican writer
CS Lewis in his book 'The Great Divorce' (a response to William Blake's
"The Marriage of Heaven and Hell").  So far as I can recall Lewis was
the only writer the Oils ever acknowledged on an album sleeve note.  He
was mentioned on that tribute album of Oils covers, though by the group
as a whole rather than PG personally.

A Merry (though intense) Christmas to you.

t


1.1.
    Re: lyrics
    Posted by: "Matt Mesina" soberman71@yahoo.com   soberman71
    Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:54 am (EST)
    I've always thought it was "As Noah faces out to
    sea...negotiates these mysteries...there's no one
    waiting beyond[?] to say...this must be my time"

    Now, I know some are squeamish about
    religious/spiritual references in Oils songs, but hear
    out my reasoning, please.

    The great flood is referenced in "River Runs Red" and
    possibly elsewhere...can't remember now. Anyhow, the
    Oils frequently had a few themes and ideas that
    cropped up in more than one song.

    The song is about suicidal ideations, and,
    consequently, deals with death. Death is a "mystery."

    Noah negotiated a new pact with God in the Genesis
    story.

    People who have already passed...or are "beyond" are
    no longer waiting for their time to come to meet their
    maker.

    As an aside, in the other Oils suicide song, "You may
    not be released", I hear: "...the rock ain't no
    stone...stones will be thrown...you can't guess who
    but you know you've got it cold." Of course, Peter
    says a name or something at the same time, which I
    totally am clueless about, but I think this is another
    veiled reference to God or the church. (Like the
    entire song "Stand Your Ground".) Any thoughts?

    I also hear "God is watching" at the end of the guitar
    solo on "Heaven and Earth". I'm sure you'all think
    I'm God-happy, but there it is.

    Interestingly, regarding H&E, I don't think that PG
    believes in eternal hell. I once chatted with a
    person online who said PG talked his friend out of
    suicide. He mentioned that Peter has his own beliefs
    that are different from mainstream Christianity. Pure
    speculation on my part, but I think he possibly could
    have told this person that he believes the "damned"
    are sentenced to walk the Earth, until the next age,
    at least. If you think about it, damned means
    blocked...hummm.

    Of course, I recognize that everything in this post
    could just be me assigning my worldview to the Oils.
    No need to get defensive, everybody, it's just
    interesting to ponder, is all.

    Merry Christmas,

    Matt Mesina